Window screen



March 8, 1932. n. E. SHRAUGER WI NDOW SCREEN Filed Feb. ll, -1931 WLS.Patented Mar. 8, 1932 PATENT OFFICE DARIUS EDGAR SHRA'UGER, OFATLANTIC, IOWA WINDOW SCREEN Application led February 11, 1931.

The object of this invention is to provide an improved metal frame forwindow screens and the like. Y

, A further object of the invention is to pro- 6 vide an improved windowscreen construction having novelmeans for applying screen cloth to theframe without the use ,of nails or screws. l

More specically, an object of the invention is to provide an improvedmetal window screen having means for frictionally engaging the screencloth and holding it in stretched condition relative to the frame.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improvedconstruction for a metal window screen which is especially compact,light and durable, and which is adapted for readily applying or changingthe screen cloth.

' With these and other objects in view my invention consists in theconstruction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of mydevice, whereby the objects contemplated are attained7 as hereinaftermore fully set forth, pointedout in my claims, and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings,

Ain which Figure 1 is an elevation illustrating one face view of awindow screen embodying my invention. l

Figure 2 is an opposite side elevation of the same. y 5

Figure 3 is a perspective view illustrating portions of the variousmembers ofthe screen before assembling, and indicating the relativepositions to be occupied in the assembly.

Figures 4 to 7 inclusive are enlarged lcross sections on the line X-X ofFigure 2, indicating various successive steps performed in the operationof applying and fastening the screen cloth to the frame.

Figure 8 is a similar' View illustrating the method of detaching thescreen cloth from the frame by using a tool.

4In forming the screen I provide a rectangular frame designated by thecharacter A. The frame A is formed of four angular bars l arranged withtheir ends in overlapping relation and suitably secured as by welding.

Each bar is composed of a body portion 10 Serial No. 515,044.

and a flange 12 projecting at right angles from the outer marginthereof.

Formed on the inner margin of the rectangular frame A and secured to thebody por-` tions 10 of the angular bars are ledges which are arranged onthe same face of the body portion 10 as is the flange 12. Each ledge maybe formed of two separate members, namely a base bar 14 and a top bar16, suitably secured to form a rigid structure. The bars 10, 14 and 16are arranged with their inner margins llush to form a smooth innermargin or rectangular opening for the screen frame. The base bar 14 ofthe ledge is of less width than the top bar 16, thus forming an undercutnotch 18 opening toward the flange 12 of the frame.

A sheet of screen cloth or screen mesh 2O is provided and said sheetpreferably is cut to conform substantially to the outline enclosed bythe outstanding flanges 12 of the rectangular frame A.

A series of locking bars 22 are provided, one for each side of therectangular frame A and extending substantially throughout the length ofsuch side. The locking bars 22 preferably are of somewhat less thicknessthan the base bars 14 of the ledges, or in other words, of lessthickness than the width of the notch 18. Each locking bar 22 is of awidth corresponding substantially to the distance between the inner edgeof the notch 18 and the adjacent face of the opposed flange 12 of theframe.

The screen frame when assembled comprises a unit composed of the angularbars 10-12 and the ledge bars 14 and 16.

When it is desired to apply a sheet of screen cloth or mesh such as 20to the frame, the latter member is placed flat on a support with theflange 12 and the ledge uppermost, as indicated in Figure 4, and thesheet 20 is superposed thereon. Then the locking bars 22 are separatelyapplied by placing them over the marginal portions of the sheet 2O abovethe space between the flange 12 and the ledge. The locking bars arefirst placed in inclined position as indicated in Figure 4 and are moveddownwardly and inwardly 1 toward the median line of the frame in theparts reach the position shown in Figure '6.- When in this position thelocking bar 22 isl arranged substantially parallel with 'the'v bodyportion 10 of the kframeandis confined with one edge in the notch 18 inhold-` ing :engagement with; the marginal portion of the sheet 20.

The frictional contact of the close fitting locking bar22 with Atheinner face of the,

flange` l2:andthe groovedinner margin of the ledge member 14 serves toassist in holding the parts in `this position. Provision also is madeYfor a more positive means of holding the lockingbars 22 in place, and.for this purposetheflanges 12 may be punched from the o'u-terfside, bythe use of a tool or` the like, to somewhat defoim the metal and pro--duceprojections or teeth 2li on the inner faces thereof immediatelyVabove the outer edges of the locking bar@ This punching operation isindicated in Figure 7 as being the last step inthe operation ofassembling the screen, but it is to be understood that it may be formedeither before or after the completion of the assembling operation. lnthe event the projections 24 vare formed before the parts are assembled,it is obvious that the locking bars 22-may be pusned down past these'projections by ythe applicationof sufiicient force to cause theflanges12 to spring outwardly somewhat untilthe locking bars 22 reachtheirfultimate positions.- l y A The locking bars 22 are applied in themanner indicated .on all four sides of. the frame-and they fthus serveto stretch sheet'20 ofl screen cloth tightly. over the frame and toholdit effectively in such position.

Then lit is desired to remove the locking bars 22 for the purpose ofremoving orreplacing-the screen wire,` this operation may befperformedby the use of a pointedl tool such as 26inserted through openings-28 thebody portion 10 of the fra-nie. The openings 28 are formed at suitableintervals and adjacent the base-cof the flangev 12. so that pressureapplied byf means of the too-l 25 will cause the outerinarginalsporeions ofY the locking bars 22 to be ,movedV ontwardly. ypast they proiectioiis. 24 until they are freer lwire may be appliedtothe frame very easily Vthe ,spondino and quickly and without the useof any nails,

screws, or similar securing means. It is also possible to easily andquickly remove the screen wire from the frame inthe manner indicated, asthe locking bars 22 may be quickly snapped into or out of place bymethods illustrated and described herein.

1f desired, the rectangular frame ,A may beprovided with a pair of knobhandles 30 on one face for convenience in mounting or removing thescreenfrom its location in a window frame or the like. lt may also beformed at one margin with a projecting plate 32 extending beyond theflanges 12 for the purpose of forminga tight joint between the frame andother members cooperating therewithy for screening an enclosure.

The flanges 12 of the frame, to the function of assisting inholding thelocking bars 22, may also bejuseful in cooperating with other members inthe Vmounting of the screen relative to a window frame as will readilybe understood by those skilled in the Aart.' v Y f I claim as myinvention j l Y l. Ascreen'construction comprising a rectangular framehaving at its outer kedge a plane peripheral flange, a ledge on theframe parallel with and spaced from-said flange, said ledge being formedwith an undercut groovev opening toward the flange, asheet of screencloth adapted tofoverlie the frame, and a. series of .locking bars eachof which is flat and plane and adapted to fit snugly between a flangeand the opposed ledge with one edge engaging insaid groovev and holdinga maral portion of the cloth therein. v

2. A screen construction comprising a Vrec-V tangular frame having atAits outer edge a peripheral' flange, a ledge on the frame parallel withand spaced from said flange, saidY ledge being formed with an undercutgroove.

frame member parallel with and spaced from said flange, said ledge beingformed with a lateral groove opening toward the flange, a

sheet of screen cloth arranged with one mar-V ginal portion overlappingthe frame memben` andV a 'flat locking bar of a widthcorresubstantiallytothe space between the face of said flange and the bottom of saidgroove, said 'bar adapted to beforced into said space` andv to carry. aportionof the screen into said groove for -frictionally holdinadditionioo iis

isc

ing the screen in place relative to the frame member.

4. In a metal screen construction, a frame member formed with alaterally projecting flange, a ledge on said frame member parallel withand spacedefrom said ange, said ledge being formed With a lateral grooveopening toward the flange, a sheet of screen cloth arranged With onemarginal portion overlapping the frame member, and a locking bar of aWidth corresponding substantially to the space between the face of saidflange and the bottom of said groove, said bar adapted to be forced intosaid space and to carry a portion of the screen into said groove forfrictionally holding the screen in place relative to the frame member,said flange being formed With projections on its face nearest to saidledge, said locking bar being capable of being snapped past saidprojections by application of force so that said projections .serve toprevent accidental displacement of the bar.

Des Moines, Iowa, February 3, 1981.

DARIUS EDGAR SHRAUGER.

